BIVVI TALK
'Star Letter'
The winning letter published this month in Bivi Talk to receive a Victorinox "SwissChamp" Swiss Army knife (RRP £49.95) is John Edmondson.
Doggy Munros Final Word
Dear Reader
I had a letter from Miles Hutchison of kirkcaldy who writes "I wrote the S.M.C. Journal obituary to Paddy Heron, to which you refer. Although I have no detailed records of our climbs together, I am confident that his spaniel Barney did not bag all the Munros.... Barney was a delightful companion on the hill but no on Buachaille Etive's Curved Ridge. Paddy's day sack was always too small to take Barney, who was pushed up the steep bits at arm's length, then repaying us with showers of small stones (no helmets then) and getting into trouble by wandering off route. Aftert his experience, we would not have taken him to the Cuillin, where one particular route would have been a "no, no" for the dog. From Sgutt nan eag we passed over Casiteal a' Garbh-choire, traversed the Thearlaich/dubh gap, climbed king's Chimney on Mhic Choinnich to finish up the short west side of the Inaccessible. Paddy would not have repeated any of these Munros with the dog; he was always looking for fresh challenges". He says he has contacted Dave Hewitt and Hamish Brown so that they are aware. This confirms that Hamish's dog Kitchy was therefore the first dog Munroist. Miles was Munroist 23 so maybe is the lowest numbered Munroist still living.
Irvine Butterfield
Alladale Wildlife Park
Dear Sir,
Living locally to where this park is proposed I went along to the recent public meeting. Unfortunately despite repeated questions being asked regarding access there were no assurances given. Not only will access to the hills be lost but also the cross-country routes from the east to west coast.
What struck me most however was that the project has gained corporate sponsorship from Karrimor. It is a sad day when an outdoor clothing manufacturer is sponsoring the removal of hard won access rights. I for one will not be buying any more of their products.
John Edmondson, Ross-Shire
Access Issues
Dear MCofS
I see Glen Lyon are stalking 7 days a week during September and October and effectively barring all access. This on top of all the other conservation activities they are performing throughout the year. With all the stalking and 'conservation' effort it's not really surprising they can't remove all the unsightly fence posts between the summits!
Peter Willimott, No Fixed Abode
Foinaven and Faces
Dear MCofS
I am not usually prone to moaning [I hope!] but the spelling of Foinaven as Fionaven in the last Scottish Mountaineer had me shaking my head. Is it some tradition since the days of the old McInnes guide? Better still would be to spell it Foinne Bheinn. I also wondered why Arkle was captioned as Ben Arkle.... but that's enough nitpicking?
The 'faces in mountains picture' in the letters page prompted me to send this 'Gneiss Face' in a boulder I came across somewhere below Little Gruinard Crag.
Eddie Lynch, Kyle of Lochalsh
Dear MCofS
Whilst recently climbing Foinaven I noticed there were two cairns near the summit. It was apparent that the eastern (spot height 914m on OS map, 2002) would be the higher, but to my surprise, it clearly seemed this was not the case - the summit ridge is 100m and the western cairn looked higher and on reaching it, I found it was a full 2m higher. If correct, it makes Foinaven a Munro at 916m. This hill has a habit of growing!
It could be mistakes in mapping or surveying but for the conspiracy theorists out there, it could be kept low on request from interested parties - the Duke of Westminster - to reduce the number of visitors? Rumours are he vetoed the upgrading of the main road that cuts through his estate, so down-grading a hill would be no problem.
Alf Barnard, Dundee
Inspiration
Dear MCofS
As someone who has just had a fairly substantial hip replacement op., I was hugely cheered when I read Steve's efforts in Peru 'Vilocanota'. Perhaps I will manage the Buachaille again after all! However, can I plead that with this - and other similar articles - you print some sort of map. Its difficult reading the Scottish Mountaineer with 'The Readers Digest Great World Atlas' balanced on your good leg! Even a sketch would help. It was a smashing article, written with humour and humility.
Patricia Hurst, Argyll
Bothy Abuse
Dear MCofS
Your readers may be aware of recent stories in the news media referring to the misuse of bothies by groups indulging in drink and drugs parties and the possibility that bothies may be closed as a result.
The Trustees of the MBA wish to emphasise that no decision has been taken to close any of the 99 bothies we presently maintain. Four bothies in the southwest of Scotland have for some time been under pressure, due to persistent misuse by large groups whose anti-social behaviour has driven away other users. MBA is co-operating with the landowner concerned and with the police to remedy the situation. Misuse of bothies is not a widespread problem and the vast majority of visitors who use bothies enjoy the experience.
The MBA is a charity with 2,800 members. The Association does not own any of the buildings it looks after, but negotiates agreements with landowners to maintain bothies as open shelters. All work is carried on by volunteers. Bothies are primarily used as an alternative to camping in the mountains, but also have a proud record of saving lives. Many climbers and walkers owe their lives to the shelter afforded by MBA maintained bothies.
Further information on the work of the Association may be found at www.mountainbothies.org.uk. The Trustees will be pleased to answer enquiries, but please bear in mind that we are also volunteers, with jobs and other interests, and are not always available for immediate comment.
Peter King (General Secretary, Mountain Bothies Association)
Munro Dave
Dear MCofS
Having read the latest edition [Issue 27] I would like to point out a mistake on page 33 "Doggone it!" There is a box at the end of the article asking people to get in touch with "either of the two "Munro Daves", Dave Hewitt or Dave Moore. The first name is correct but unfortunately the second is wrong with The Munro Society Archivist being called JOHN Moore, I know since he is my brother-in -law as well as Archivist!
Evelyn Reid
Funicular Questions
Dear MCofS
This summer I have been asked to answer questions to a survey three times while returning to Corrie Cas car park on Cairngorm. On the third occasion I noticed the person was wearing a 'Cairngorm Mountain' employee's badge. On no occasion was I informed of the purpose of the survey or who it was being conducted for. The questions required 'yes' or 'no' responses, centred around access to the hills and the use of the Funicular, leading to the final question-whether or not I would like to be able to get out at the top station. At no point was I given information as to why there was a closed system, nor room to qualify any answers given.
The issues surrounding the closed system are complex and cannot be reduced to a simple wish for easier access. This survey is aimed at walkers, I am not aware if a similar one is being aimed at passengers in the train itself.
I am aware that the company in question are making application to have the closed system removed and in light of this I would like to draw your attention to this survey, as I do not regard it as an unbiased piece of market research, nor its results truly representative of the section of the public being targeted.
Pat Hughes
LOST & FOUND
Dear Sir
A Leki pole top section was found on the Baddoch path to An Socach on Sunday 9th October. Please contact Bill or Dave at Hilltrek Outdoor Clothing on 01339886062 or email on sales@hilltrek.co.ukwith the type of pole lost and we would be happy to return it to.
Dave Shand, Hilltrek